THE THIN LINE BETWEEN STRESS AND ANXIETY

Stress and anxiety are often presumed to mean the same thing. Admittedly, there’s a very thin line of differences between these two hence making it a little difficult for people to spot the differences. Medically speaking, there are some ways you can tell them apart although most symptoms are the same on both sides.

Stress

External triggers mostly cause stress. Therefore, when the external factors causing stress are absent, the level of stress can be managed. For instance, when someone is loaded with work with no rest time, the person is said to be under stress. Not getting rid of the stressor can lead to a decline in our physical health and worse case, depression.

Irritability, body pains, lack of concentration, constant migraines, and the inability to sleep could be a sign that you’re stressed.

Unlike chronic stress, short-term stress can be easily worked on by taking away the stress factor. For long-term or chronic stress, it’s advisable to visit a psychotherapist for solutions that best suits you.

Anxiety

Anxiety takes a slightly different turn. Having anxiety means having worries that do not seem to end with or without the presence of a factor. Sometimes, the factor resulting in anxiety is not easily identified. In most cases, it’s worrying excessively about nothing in particular. Stress factors that are left unattended can also upgrade to anxiety.

Some symptoms include chest aches, always getting tensed and panic-stricken, and constant fatigue among others. Anxieties can develop into disorders.

These disorders stem from uncontrollable worries. There is generalized anxiety, which is when you get worried intensively over normal issues or over things you can state specifically. It could be you getting anxious over a relative who will be going into the labour room anytime soon.

Panic anxiety also comes in when you begin to have panic attacks. These attacks are often linked to shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and an overwhelming fear of something.

If you find yourself feeling anxious when it’s time for socializing or at a social function, then that is a social anxiety disorder. You always cringe at the thought of interacting with others.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) isn’t always about personal preference or how you prefer your things to be in a certain order. It’s also an anxiety disorder where individuals repeatedly act out or have certain thoughts to satisfy an obsession. This anxiety causes you to do something mostly illogical yet there’s the urge to do it always to relieve yourself from the anxiety it makes you feel.

OCD can be disruptive.  Going back to ensure your windows and doors are locked multiple times resulting in you being late for a function or rehearsing your speech several times because you are afraid you’d hurt people around you could be signs of OCD.

These should help you determine whether it’s stress or anxiety you’re going through and also, enlighten you on what to do to manage it.